Thank you, Presiding Officer. After more than seven weeks of restrictions, the United Kingdom Government recently announced measures to ease the lockdown in England. This easing has been widely welcomed as it marks a significant milestone on the road to the return of normality. The United Kingdom Government strategy offers and sets out a clear vision for the future.

In contrast, the Welsh Government has produced a document that is vague and offers little clarity for the people of Wales. Instead of outlining a clear timetable for the easing of restrictions, it lacks the details vital to provide the confidence that people and the businesses desperately need in Wales. By not working in collaboration with the rest of the United Kingdom to develop a clear, consistent approach in easing restrictions, the Welsh Government has chosen to indulge in party-political point scoring. The result has been confusion about what can and cannot be done, particularly for constituents in south-east Wales living in close proximity to the border.

The border from Chepstow to Chester is a pretty long one, and the Minister must realise that in England, people are allowed to meet one person from another household outdoors, if they remain 2m apart. I wonder, with a 100 mile-long border, how people—[Inaudible.]—and everything can be stopped. Households can also drive a distance to destinations such as parks and beaches. However, they cannot travel to Wales, even if the border is a short distance away. People in Wales are confused and dismayed that what is permitted in England is not allowed in Wales.

Coronavirus does not respect race, gender, age or personal qualities, but the Welsh Government appears to have a fixation with the border and it is determined to be different. The difference of approach is almost clearly exposed in their approach to the housing market. This strategy document only contains a pledge to consult on guidance in relation to housing and construction. In England estate agents, removal firms and surveyors are among the essential housing industry services given the green light to go ahead and go back to work. Buyers and renters are allowed to move homes, and estate agents can now reopen with strict social distancing guidelines in place. In addition, new-home developers can reopen show homes, while local councils have been encouraged to support extended working hours at construction sites for the extra time it takes to implement safe social distancing measures. The resumption of work will play a major part in helping the economy recover, as well as delivering the houses they need. In Wales the housing market remains shut.

Presiding Officer, non-essential retailers in England will be able to open, in phase 1, on 1 June, if they follow social distancing guidelines. Pubs, restaurants, hairdressers, hotels, cinemas and places of worship will open from 4 July at the earliest as long as they implement social distancing measures. Clear, sector-specific guidance is essential to ensure adherence to current social distancing and hygiene guidelines if the restrictions on shops and services are to be lifted in a controlled manner that prioritises activities and services having the lowest risk of transmission.

The Welsh Government has not succeeded in publishing any evidence to support its current strategy and to inform businesses how to achieve COVID-19 secure status to allow them to reopen within the current guidelines. This can only hinder and delay the Welsh businesses as they struggle to recover. Thank you, Presiding Officer.